A Taste of the Sierra: Hikes, History, and Yoga, Tahoe National Forest, California

The Trip

Join the Sierra Club for four days of of lodge-based hiking exploration in some of the most beautiful wilderness in the world. The North Lake Tahoe and Donner Pass region in the Sierra Nevada provides endless opportunities for varied hiking. We’ve cherry-picked an array of day hikes that will lead you past vast mountain landscapes, pristine alpine lakes, streams, and ancient forests. In addition to hiking, you will learn about important conservation efforts and the rich local history of the Emigrant Pass and historic Truckee, and enjoy activities such as stand-up paddleboarding and yoga.

Clair Tappaan Lodge is based in the historically significant Donner Pass area of the Sierra Nevada at 7,000 feet elevation. Donner Pass played a key role in the emigration of fortune seekers from the Eastern U.S. to California. The challenging wagon road over the Pass was used as early as the 1840s.

On a typical day, we will rise at 6:30 a.m., dine on a hearty breakfast, do a lodge chore, and be at the hiking trails by 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., depending on the destination. Driving time to trailheads ranges from 15 to 60 minutes.

The following is our itinerary for the week. Consider it an approximate as weather, the group’s pace, and the National Park Service’s permitting requirements may necessitate modifications.

Day 1: The official start of our trip is at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 14 with a welcome drink. We will discuss some basics about the week and distribute additional information. Dinner will be provided at 6:00 p.m.

Day 2: John Muir once described Lake Tahoe as the “Jewel of the Sierra." Our first hiking adventure brings us to Lake Tahoe for a level 6.5-mile hike with magnificent views of the azure waters, rocky parts, and sandy coves. We will leave ourselves plenty of time to swim, picnic, and check out a fascinating mansion, which is now a museum. After dinner, a local historic expert will regale us with a historical perspective of the fateful journey of the Donner Party.

Day 3: We cover a 4.5-mile-long section (with 1,700 feet of elevation change) of the renowned Pacific Crest Trail that provides some of the grandest views in the Sierra Nevada. We will pause at a significant point on the Overland Emigrant Trail. Signs along the trail tell the story of the early settlers and the difficulties they encountered at this point in their trek west. After dinner, we will hear from a local conservation expert about issues of most importance in the greater Truckee Donner region.

Day 4: Today’s seven-mile hike brings us almost 2,000 feet to the top of an iconic peak. The hike starts with a gradual climb through a pleasant valley with wildflowers, meadows, and alpine forests. The last mile is a steep and rocky climb that may require hiking poles. At the top we are rewarded with outstanding views of the Tahoe forest and surrounding ridges, lakes, and valley. We’ll return to our lodge just in time for an outdoor yoga class to help stretch our muscles out. The class will be suitable for all levels.

Day 5: Today we take a change of pace. We will spend the morning on a guided stand-up paddleboarding tour on one of the most beautiful lakes in the Donner Pass area. The water is crystal clear and holds many hidden inlets that we will be able to explore. Paddleboard instruction and guides will be provided. This activity is suitable for paddleboarding novices. After lunch, we head in our individual vehicles to the nearby historic town of Truckee. You are on your own to explore the Truckee Railroad Museum, shops, galleries, and restaurants with a self-guided walking tour map. Dinner is not included. For those interested in a spectacular site, we can take a later evening short hike to look at the full moon glistening over Donner Pass. Without headlights, street lights, or other city lights, only the moon, the lake, and the white granite shine brilliantly. 

Day 6: We’ll dust off our hiking boots, say our farewells, and depart anytime after our breakfast.

Getting There

Clair Tappaan Lodge is located at 7,000 feet in California's Sierra Nevada. It's 45 minutes west of Reno and a 1.5-hour drive east of Sacramento just off of Interstate 80. The address is 19940 Donner Pass Road in Norden.

From eastbound I-80, take the exit for Soda Springs/Norden -- old U.S. 40 -- also called Donner Pass Road. Go 2.4 miles east on Donner Pass Road. The lodge is at 19940 Donner Pass Rd. (old U.S. 40). Look for the sign on your left.

Participants are expected to provide their own transportation to and from our lodge and to the trailheads and activities each day. The best way to get there and to trailheads each day is to drive, though we do encourage carpooling and will provide a roster of trip members so you can arrange that. 

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Built by Sierra Club members in 1934, Clair Tappaan Lodge has hosted generations of Sierra Club members in its uniquely friendly communal atmosphere. The lodge is nestled in a prime location at the top of Donner Pass from which to explore the beauty of the Sierra Nevada. Clair Tappaan has a special charm, with its spacious living room and enormous fireplace, cozy library, and relaxing sun deck. 

All accommodations are communal and in bunk beds equipped with mattresses (please bring your own sleeping bag or bedding). Private rooms may be available on a situational basis and at an additional cost. Restroom and shower facilities are shared, with two men’s and two women’s bathrooms (bring your own towel). The Lodge also has a hot tub, so be sure to bring your bathing suit.

Three hearty meals are included each day by the professional kitchen staff and are served in the Lodge’s large communal dining room. Meals will begin with dinner on your arrival day and end with breakfast on your departure day.

• 7:30 a.m.: Trip participants prepare their own sack lunch.
• 8:00 a.m.: Family-style breakfast is served.
• 6:00 p.m.: Family-style dinner is served.

A vegetarian option is available for every meal. Participants with other dietary restrictions can often be accommodated, provided that the lodge staff is informed in advance. However, those with special diets or allergies should be prepared to supplement the lodge’s offerings with food of their own. There are guest refrigerators that can be used to store your own items and a microwave for your use.

We will try to accommodate dietary restrictions if possible. Please let the leaders know of any restrictions, aversions, or allergies. Meals will generally include breakfast and dinner at the lodge, with lunch and snacks fixed "to go" each day.

Lodge chores: In order to maintain and build community, as well as keep expenses down, every guest is asked to perform a chore each day that he/she is at the Lodge. Most chores happen either before or after breakfast and dinner and usually last 20 minutes or less. Please come to the Lodge ready to embrace this nearly 80-year-old tradition.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is best suited for experienced hikers. There will be some steep sections, and elevation gains can range up to 2,000 feet during our day hikes of 5-7 miles. We will alternate hikes so easier hikes will be followed by a more difficult hike the next day. We will move along at a relaxed, but moderate, pace. Participants should be accustomed to walking at a pace of 2+ miles per hour on level ground and be able to walk up steep grades at a slower pace without undue fatigue. Our walking is not difficult or rushed for a fit hiker; however, for safety reasons it is important that everyone be prepared to keep a similar pace. Please call or email the leader if you have any questions regarding your abilities before signing up for the trip. The leaders will try to keep the group fairly close together, so it is important for all participants to be in good physical condition.

Photographers are welcome, understanding that the focus of this trip is hiking, so photographers are expected to keep up with the group.

After you apply for the trip, the leader will review the forms and contact you by phone to discuss the trip with you. Please wait for approval from the leader before making any transportation reservations.

Equipment and Clothing

Hiking poles are recommended for steep terrain.

A complete list of required equipment will be sent to all approved participants.

References

Books: 

• Schaffer, Jeffrey P., The Tahoe Sierra, A Natural History Guide to 112 Hikes in the Northern Sierra.
• Muir, John, My First Summer in the Sierra.
• Stewart, George R., Ordeal by Hunger: The Story of the Donner Party.
• Houston, James D., Snow Mountain Passage.
• Sommers, Arther,  Donner Summit:  History of Donner Summit Told Through Photographs.
• Muir Laws, John, Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada.
• Muir Laws, John, Sierra Birds: A Hiker’s Guide.
• Paruk, Jim, Sierra Nevada Tree Identifier.
• Graf, Michael, Plants of the Tahoe Basin: Flowering Plants, Trees and Ferns.